Cationic fluorescent whitening agents

ABSTRACT

Cationic fluorescent whitening agents of the formula ##STR1## wherein B is a fluorescent whitening agent containing basic tertiary amino groups, m is the number of basic amino groups, and each of R 1 , R 2  and R 3  is alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms which is unsubstituted or substituted by non-chromophoric groups, or is alkenyl of 2 to 4 carbon atoms which is unsubstituted or substituted by non-chromophoric groups. These compounds have good solubility in water and they make it possible to prepare concentrated solutions and can be used for whitening organic material.

This is a divisional of application Ser. No. 200,738 filed on Oct. 27, 1980, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,384,121.

The present invention relates to novel cationic fluorescent whitening agents, to a process for their production, and to the use thereof for whitening organic material and for the preparation of concentrated aqueous solutions.

A large number of cationic fluorescent whitening agents which are of only limited solubility in water at room temperature are known from the literature. These fluorescent whitening agents are quaternised ammonium salts of basic fluorescent whitening agents which are described e.g. in patent specifications that usually also encompass the basic compounds themselves. Such compounds correspond to those fluorescent whitening agents categorized hereinafter as B.

The invention relates to novel cationic fluorescent whitening agents of the formula ##STR2## wherein B is a fluorescent whitening agent containing basic tertiary amino groups, m is the number of basic amino groups and each of R₁, R₂ and R₃ is alkyl or alkenyl, each of which contains 1 to 4 carbon atoms and is unsubstituted or substituted by non-chromophoric groups. Suitable fluorescent whitening agents B are, e.g. non-quaternised representatives B₁ belonging to the class of 2-furanylbenzimidazoles (cf. U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,497,525; 3,631,168; 3,637,734; 3,900,419; 4,009,994; 4,018,789 and 4,146,725; German Offenlegungsschrift 2 346 316; 2 807 008; 2 852 531 and 2 821 116; 2-azolylbenzimidazoles (cf. U.S. Pat. No. 4,083,958), 2-stilbenzylbenzimidazoles (cf. U.S. Pat. No. 3,133,916), basic 1,2-bis-(azolyl)ethylenes (cf. U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,808,407; 3,259,619; 3,169,960), 2,5-bis-(benzimidazolyl)-furanes (cf. U.S. Pat. No. 3,005,779), basic 4,4'-bis-(azolyl)stilbenes (cf. U.S. Pat. No. 3,583,984), basic 2-phenyl-5-azolylthiophenes (cf. U.S. Pat. No. 3,264,315), basic 1,3-diphenylpyrazolines (cf. U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,131,079; 3,378,389; 3,574,195; 4,183,853; 3,560,485; 3,690,947; 3,865,816; 3,957,815; 4,045,169; 3,849,406; 4,085,101; 3,598,510; 3,141,879; 4,151,163; 3,753,978; 4,129,563; German Offenlegungsschift 2 755 023; 2 346 316; 2 807 008; French patent specification 1 431 233), basic 4,4'-distyryl-biphenyls (cf. U.S. Pat. No. 3,984,399), basic 1,4-distyrylbenzenes (cf. U.S. Pat. No. 3,755,446), basic 3,7-disubstituted coumarins (cf. U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,251,851; 3,271,412; 3,625,952; 3,663,560; 4,005,098; German Offenlegungsschrift 1 919 181), basic naphthalimides (cf. British patent specifications 962 019 and 1 227 239; U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,697,525; 3,625,947; 3,880,859; 3,941,791; 3,776,932; 4,075,211; German Offenlegungsschrift 2 064 159; 2 507 459; 2 641 001), basic 4,4'-bis-triazinylaminostilbenes (cf. German Offenlegungsschrift 1 930 309 and 2 060 085), basic 2-stilben-4-yl-naphthotriazoles (cf. German Auslegeschrift 1 090 169) and basic 4,4'-bis-(triazolyl)- and -(pyrazolyl)-stilbenes (cf. U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,824,236 and 3,796,706).

Compared with the compounds of the prior art cited above, the novel cationic fluorescent whitening agents of this invention are distinguished by substantially improved solubility in water and in polar organic solvents at room and elevated temperature. This improved solubility makes it possible to prepare fluorescent whitener solutions with concentrations of up to 60% by weight, preferably of 10 to 50% by weight, of fluorescent whitening agent.

The number of basic amino groups is preferably 1 or 2. However, further basic amino groups can also be present. By basic tertiary amino groups are meant preferably amino groups of aliphatic or aromatic character.

Important cationic fluorescent whitening agents are those of the formula ##STR3## wherein m₁ is 1 or 2 and each of R₁ ' and R₂ ' is alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms or benzyl and B₂ is a fluorescent whitening agent of the formula ##STR4## wherein M is alkylene-N(R₄)(R₅), pyrazolyl or pyridinyl, each of R₄ and R₅ independently is alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms which is unsubstituted or substituted by non-chromophoric groups, alkenyl of 2 to 6 carbon atoms which is unsubstituted or substituted by non-chromophoric groups, or R₄ and R₅, together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, also form a 5- to 7-membered heterocyclic ring, each of R₆ and R₇ independently is alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms which is unsubstituted or substituted by non-chromophoric groups, alkenyl of 2 to 6 carbon atoms which is unsubstituted or substituted by non-chromophoric groups, or is phenyl, D is nitrogen or the -CH-group, Q is a non-chromophoric bridge member, X is a non-chromophoric bridge member or the direct bond, n is 1 or 2, and p is 0 or 1, whilst the benzene rings and the heterocyclic rings can also carry non-chromophoric substituents.

Suitable non-chromophoric bridge members Q are groups such as -SO₂ -alkyleneoxy containing 2 to 8, preferably 2 to 4, carbon atoms in the alkylene moiety, -COO-, -SO₂ -, -SO₂ -alkylene-COO-, -SO₂ -alkylene-CON(R)- and -SO₂ N(R)-, wherein R is hydrogen or alkyl of 1 to 6, preferably 1 to 4, carbon atoms, which can be substituted e.g. by cyano, carbamoyl, carboxyl, carbalkoxy, hydroxyl, halogen, alkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or together with R₄ forms a piperazine ring.

Non-chromophoric bridge members X can be oxygen, sulfur, -SO₂ N(R)-, -CON(R)-, -OCO-, -COO-, the direct bond, -O-C₁₋₃ alkylene-CON(R)- or -O-C₁₋₃ alkylene-COO-.

The "alkylene" radicals can be variously straight-chain or branched and contain 1 to 12, especially 1 to 6, carbon atoms. They can also carry a hydroxyl group.

Suitable alkyl radicals R₄ and R₅ are those containing 1 to 6, preferably 1 to 4, carbon atoms. They can be substituted e.g. by halogen, cyano, hydroxyl, alkoxy, phenyl or alkoxycarbonyl of 2 to 5 carbon atoms. The radicals R₄ and R₅ together can form a 5- to 7-membered heterocyclic ring, e.g. a piperidine, pyrrolidine, hexamethyleneimine or morpholine ring, which can be substituted by alkyl groups of 1 to 4 carbon atoms. R₄ together with R can also form a piperazine ring.

Alkyl groups R₆ which carry non-chromophoric substituents are in particular the alkoxyalkyl group containing a total of 3 to 6 carbon atoms and the benzyl group, whilst R₇ is alkyl which is substituted by hydroxyl, alkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, carbalkoxy of 2 to 5 carbon atoms, cyano, phenyl or carbamoyl.

Alkenyl groups R₆ and R₇ are preferably unsubstitued and contain preferably 3 to 4 carbon atoms, and the phenyl radicals can be additionally substituted e.g. by 1 to 2 alkyl groups each containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms, chlorine, or alkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

Representative examples of non-chromophoric substituents of the benzene or heterocyclic nuclei are: halogen atoms, alkyl groups of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, cyclohexyl groups, alkenyl groups of 3 to 6 carbon atoms, alkoxy groups of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, alkenyloxy groups of 3 to 6 carbon atoms, phenoxy which can additionally be subtituted by methyl, chlorine or methoxy; alkylsulfonyl groups of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, phenylsulfonyl or phenoxysulfonyl which can additionally be substituted by methyl, chlorine or methoxy; benzylsulfonyl, cyano, trifluoromethyl, alkoxycarbonyl of 2 to 7 carbon atoms, carboxyl, phenyl, benzyl, -CONZ₁ Z₂ or -SO₂ NZ₁ Z₂, wherein Z₁ is hydrogen, alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkenyl of 3 to 4 carbon atoms, hydroxyalkyl of 2 to 4 carbon atoms, cyclohexyl, alkoxyalkyl containing a total of 3 to 6 carbon atoms, benzyl, or dialkylaminoalkyl containing a total of 3 to 7 carbon atoms which can be quaternised by R₁ ', Z₂ is hydrogen, alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms or alkenyl of 3 or 4 carbon atoms, and Z₁ and Z₂, together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, form a pyrrolidine, piperidine, N-alkylpiperazine ring containing 1 to 3 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety, or a hexamethyleneimine or morpholine ring.

In formula (2), R₁ ' and R₂ ' are preferably alkyl of 1 to 3 carbon atoms, R₄, R₅ and R₆ are preferably unsubstituted alkyl radicals of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, whilst R₄ and R₅ together can form a pyrrolidine, piperidine, hexamethyleneimine or morpholine radical. R₄ can also together with R form a piperazine ring. R₇ is preferably alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkenyl of 3 or 4 carbon atoms, cyanoalkyl of 2 or 3 carbon atoms, carbalkoxyalkyl containing 1 to 3 carbon atoms in the alkoxy moiety, benzyl or phenyl. D is preferably ═N-, X is oxygen, the direct bond, -SO₂ N(R')-, -CON(R')- or -COO-, and R' is hydrogen, alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms which is unsubstituted or substituted by a cyano group, or together with R₄ forms a piperazine ring. The benzene and the heterocyclic rings are preferably substituted by hydrogen, chlorine, alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms or alkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and the benzimidazole ring can additionally be substituted by alkylsulfonyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, phenylsulfonyl, cyano, trifluoromethyl, phenoxysulfonyl, alkoxycarbonyl containing a total of 2 to 5 carbon atoms, carboxyl, -CONZ₁ 'Z₂ ' or -SO₂ NZ₁ 'Z₂ ', wherein Z₁ ' is hydrogen, alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkenyl of 3 or 4 carbon atoms, hydroxyalkyl of 2 to 4 carbon atoms, alkoxyalkyl containing a total of 3 to 6 carbon atoms, cyclohexyl or benzyl, and Z₂ ' is hydrogen, alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or Z₁ ' and Z₂ ', together with the nitrogen atom, can also form a morpholine ring.

Especially important cationic fluorescent whitening agents are those of the formula ##STR5## wherein m₁ is 1 or 2 and R₁ " is alkyl of 1 to 3 carbon atoms and B₃ is a fluorescent whitener radical of the formula ##STR6## in which radicals R₆ ' is alkyl or 1 to 4 carbon atoms,

R₇ ' is alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, benzyl, phenyl, alkenyl of 3 to 4 carbon atoms, cyanoalkyl of 2 to 3 carbon atoms, alkoxycarbonylmethyl containing 1 to 3 carbon atoms in the alkoxy moiety,

R₈ is hydrogen, methyl, chlorine, alkylsulfonyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, phenylsulfonyl, cyano, trifluoromethyl, phenoxysulfonyl, alkoxycarbonyl containing a total of 2 to 5 carbon atoms, carboxyl, -CONZ₁ 'Z₂ ' or -SO₂ NZ₁ 'Z₂ ', wherein Z₁ ' is hydrogen, alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkenyl of 3 or 4 carbon atoms, hydroxyalkyl of 2 to 4 carbon atoms, alkoxyalkyl containing a total of 3 to 6 carbon atoms, or benzyl, and Z₂ ' is hydrogen, alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or Z₁ ' and Z₂ ', together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, can also form a morpholine ring,

R₉, R₁₀, R₁₁ and R₁₂, each independently of the other, are hydrogen, chlorine or methyl,

Q₁ is -COO- or, preferably, -SO₂ -,

Y is alkylene of 2 to 4 carbon atoms, -N(R')-alkylene containing 2 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkylene moiety, alkyleneoxyalkylene containing a total of 4 to 7 carbon atoms, alkylene-COO-alkylene or alkylene-CONH-alkylene, each containing a total of 4 to 7 carbon atoms,

R' is hydrogen, alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms which is unsubstituted or substituted by a cyano group, or together with R₄ ' is a piperazine radical,

X' is oxygen, sulfur, the direct bond, -SO₂ NR'-, -CONR' or -COO-,

E is alkylene of 1 to 4 carbon atoms which is unsubstituted or substituted by a -OH group,

R₄ ' is alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or together with R' is a piperazine radical or together with R₅ ' is a pyrrolidine, piperidine, hexamethyleneimine or morpholine radical,

R₅ ' is alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or together with R₄ ' is a pyrrolidine, piperidine, hexamethyleneimine or morpholine radical,

R₁₃ is hydrogen, chlorine, alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms or alkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms,

n is 1 or 2, and ##STR7## Of particular interest are

(a) cationic fluorescent whitening agents of the formula ##STR8## wherein R₆ ' is alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms and each of R₉ and R₁₀ independently is hydrogen, chlorine or methyl, R₇ ' is alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, benzyl, phenyl, alkenyl of 3 or 4 carbon atoms, cyanoalkyl of 2 or 3 carbon atoms, alkoxycarbonylmethyl containing 1 to 3 carbon atoms in the alkoxy moiety, and R₈ is hydrogen, methyl, chlorine, alkylsulfonyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, phenylsulfonyl, cyano, trifluoromethyl, phenoxysulfonyl, alkoxycarbonyl containing a total of 2 to 5 carbon atoms, carboxyl, CONZ₁ 'Z₂ ' or SO₂ NZ₁ 'Z₂ ', wherein Z₁ ' is hydrogen, alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkenyl of 3 or 4 carbon atoms, hydroxyalkyl of 2 to 4 carbon atoms, alkoxyalkyl containing a total of 3 to 6 carbon atoms, or benzyl, and Z₂ ' is hydrogen, alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or Z₁ ' and Z₂ ', together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, can also form a morpholine ring,

(b) cationic fluorescent whitening agents of the formula ##STR9## wherein R₁ " is alkyl of 1 to 3 carbon atoms, preferably methyl, R₄ ' is alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or together with R' is a piperazine radical or together with R₅ ' is a pyrrolidine, piperidine, hexamethyleneimine or morpholine radical, R₅ ' is alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or together with R₄ ' is a pyrrolidine, piperidine, hexamethyleneimine or morpholine radical, R₁₁ and R₁₂ are hydrogen, methyl or chlorine, Y is alkylene of 2 to 4 carbon atoms, -N(R')-alkylene containing 2 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkylene moiety, alkyleneoxyalkylene containing a total of 4 to 7 carbon atoms, alkylene-COO-alkylene containing a total of 4 to 7 carbon atoms or alkylene-CONH-alkylene containing a total of 4 to 7 carbon atoms, and R' is hydrogen, alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms which is unsubstituted or substituted by a cyano group, or together with R₄ ' forms a piperazine ring, as well as

(c) cationic fluorescent whitening agents of the formula ##STR10## wherein R₁ " is alkyl of 1 to 3 carbon atoms, preferably methyl, X' is oxygen, sulfur, the direct bond, -COO-, -CON(R")- or -SO₂ N(R")-, and X' is preferably in the 2- or 3-position, R" is hydrogen, alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or together with R₄ ' is a piperazine radical, E is alkylene of 1 to 4 carbon atoms which is unsubstituted or substituted by an -OH group, R₄ ' is alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or together with R" is a piperazine radical or together with R₅ ' is a pyrrolidine, piperidine, hexamethyleneimine or morpholine radical, R₅ ' is alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms or together with R₄ ' is a pyrrolidine, piperidine, hexamethyleneimine or morpholine radical, R₁₃ is hydrogen, chlorine, alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms or alkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and n is 1 or 2.

Most preferred are

(d) cationic fluorescent whitening agents of the formula ##STR11## wherein A' is a radical of the formula ##STR12## R₇ " is alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, benzyl, phenyl, or cyanoalkyl of 2 or 3 carbon atoms, R₈ ' is hydrogen, alkylsulfonyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, phenylsulfonyl, phenoxysulfonyl, sulfamoyl, alkylsulfamoyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkoxycarbonyl of 2 to 4 carbon atoms, cyano or chlorine, and R₁₀ ' is hydrogen, chlorine or methyl,

(e) cationic fluorescent whitening agents of the formula ##STR13## wherein R₄ " is alkyl of 1 or 2 carbon atoms, or together with R'" forms a piperazine ring, R₅ " is alkyl of 1 or 2 carbon atoms, Y' is alkylene of 2 to 4 carbon atoms, -N(R'")-alkylene containing 2 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkylene moiety, alkyleneoxyalkylene containing a total of 4 to 7 carbon atoms or alkylene-CON(R'")-alkylene containing a total of 4 to 7 carbon atoms, and R'" is hydrogen, cyanomethyl, or together with R₄ " forms a piperazine ring, as well as

(f) cationic fluorescent whitening agents of the formula ##STR14## wherein X" is oxygen, the direct bond, -SO₂ NH- or -CONH- in the 2- or 3-position, E' is alkylene of 1 to 3 carbon atoms, R₄ "' and R₅ "' are alkyl of 1 or 2 carbon atoms, or together are a pyrrolidine, piperidine or morpholine radical, and n is 1 or 2.

The cationic fluorescent whitening agents of the formula (1) are obtained in a manner known per se by quaternising a fluorescent whitening agent B with at least stoichiometric amounts m of a phosphate of the formula ##STR15## wherein R₁, R₂ and R₃ have the meanings given above, in the temperature range from 60° to 200° C., and optionally in an inert solvent.

Preferred phosphates of the formula (25) are: trimethylphosphte, triethylphosphate, triisopropylphosphate, tri-n-propylphosphate, dibutylmethylphosphate, tribenzylphosphate, diisopropylmethylphosphate, triallylphosphate, tributylphosphate, tris-(2-chloroethyl)-phosphate and tris-(methoxyethyl)phosphate. Trimethylphosphate is particularly preferred. It is also possible to quaternise bases of cationic dyes with these trialkylphosphates.

Suitable reaction media in which the quaternisation can be carried out are in general all inert solvents. Preferred solvents are those in which the starting material dissolves and from which the final product precipitates immediately. Examples of such solvents are: aromatic hydrocarbons, such as benzene, toluene and xylene; halogenated hydrocarbon, such as trichloroethane, tetrachloroethylene, chlorobenzene or dichlorobenzene, and also nitrobenzene; alkanols and open or cyclic ethers, such as butanol, dibutyl ether, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, anisole or dioxane; ketones, such as cyclohexanone or methyl ethyl ketone; fatty acids amides, such as dimethyl formamide or dimethyl acetamide; sulfoxides, such as dimethyl sulfoxide; and esters and nitriles of carboxylic acids, such as ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, acetonitrile or methoxypropionitrile. The reaction is carried out for example in the temperature range from 60° to 200° C., preferably from 80° to 170° C. On occasion it is also advantageous to use water as solvent.

A particularly advantageous process comprises carrying out the reaction in an excess of alkylating agent in the temperature range from 60° to 200° C., preferably from 100° to 170° C., whereupon the reaction product often precipitates on cooling or by addition of a suitable solvent, e.g. one of those mentioned above.

As the resultant cationic fluorescent whitening agents are particularly readily soluble in water, a reaction mixture which still contains an excess of water-soluble phosphate of the formula (25) can also be diluted with water without isolation of the fluorescent whitening agent, in order thus to obtain a ready-for-use concentrated solution. The invention also relates to such concentrated solutions. Purely aqueous solutions are obtained by dissolving the isolated cationic fluorescent whitening agents in the desired amount of water.

To stabilize the aqueous solutions against a possible phosphate hydrolysis, it is possible to add to these solutions a pH buffer substance, e.g. sodium acetate or sodium lactate. A good buffer action is also obtained by neutralising the initially usually acidic aqueous solutions containing excess phosphate with alkali metal hydroxides (e.g. sodium hydroxide), alkali metal carbonates or bicarbonates, water-soluble basic amines, or ammonia.

The starting materials of the formula (25) used for the quaternisation are known or they are obtained by methods analogous to known ones.

The novel compounds defined above exhibit a more or less pronounced fluorescence in the dissolved or finely divided state. They can be used for whitening a wide variety of synthetic, regenerated man-made or natural organic materials or substances which contain such organic materials.

The organic materials to be whitened can be in the most widely different states of processing (raw materials, semi-finished goods or finished goods).

The compounds of the present invention are of importance, inter alia, for the treatment of textile organic materials, especially woven textiles.

Depending on the type of fluorescent whitening agent used, it can be advantageous to carry out the treatment in a neutral, alkaline or acid bath. The treatment is usually carried out in the temperature range from 20° to 140° C., for example at the boiling point of the bath or near it (about 90° C.). Solutions or emulsions in organic solvents can also be used for the treatment of textile substrates according to the invention, as is practised in the dyeing industry in solvent dyeing (pad-thermofixation application, or exhaustion dyeing processes in dyeing machines).

The fluorescent whitening agents of the present invention can, for example, also be employed in the following formulation:

(a) in mixtures with dyes (shading) or pigments (coloured pigments or especially, for example, white pigments), or as an additive in dye-baths, printing pastes, discharge pastes or reserve pastes, or for the aftertreatment of dyeings, prints or discharge prints;

(b) in mixtures with wetting agents, plasiticisers, swelling agents, antioxidants, ultraviolet absorbers, heat stabilisers and chemical bleaching agents (chlorite bleach or bleaching bath additives);

(c) in admixture with crosslinking agents or finishing agents (for example starch or synthetic finishes), and in combination with a wide variety of textile finishing processes, especially synthetic resin finishes (for example creaseproof finishes such as wash-and-wear, permanent-press or non-iron), as well as flameproof finishes, fabric softening finishes, antisoiling finishes or antistatic finishes, or antimicrobial finishes;

(d) incorporation of the fluorescent whitening agents into polymer carriers (polymerisation, polycondensation or polyaddition products, in dissolved or dispersed form, for use e.g. in coating agents, impregnating agents or binders (solutions, dispersions and emulsions) for textiles, non-wovens, papers and leather;

(e) as additives in master batches;

(f) as additives in a wide variety of industrial products in order to render these more marketable (for example improving the appearance of soaps, detergents, pigments);

(g) in combination with other optically brightening substances;

(h) in spinning bath preparations, that is to say as additives in spinning baths which are used for improving the slip for the further processing of synthetic fibres, or from a special bath before the streching of the fibre;

(i) as scintillators for various purposes of a photographic nature, for example for electrophotographic reproduction or supersensitising;

If the whitening method is combined with textile treatment of finishing methods, the combined treatment can in many cases advantageously be carried out with the aid of appropriate stable preparations which contain the fluorescent whitening agents in a concentration such that the desired white effect is achieved.

In certain cases, the fluorescent whitening agents are made fully effective by an aftertreatment. This can be, for example, a chemical treatment (for example acid treatment), a heat treatment or a combined chemical/heat treatment.

The amount of fluorescent whitening agents of the present invention to be used, based on the weight of the material to be whitened, can vary within wide limits. A marked and lasting effect can be obtained even with very insignificant amounts, in certain cases, e.g. 0.0001 percent by weight. But it is also possible to use amounts of up to about 0.8 percent by weight and, on occasion, up to about 2 percent by weight. For most practical purposes, it is preferable to use amounts between 0.005 and 0.5 percent by weight.

For various reasons it is often advantageous not to use the fluorescent whitening agents by themselves, i.e. pure, but in admixture with a wide variety of assistants and extenders, for example anhydrous sodium sulfate, sodium sulfate decahydrate, sodium chloride, sodium carbonate, alkali metal phosphates, such as sodium or potassium orthophosphate, sodium or potassium pyrophosphate and sodium or potassium tripolyphosphates or alkali metal silicates.

The cationic fluorescent whitening agents of the present invention are suitable for whitening organic material, especially polyacrylonitrile, polyamide and cellulose.

In the following Examples, percentages are by weight. Unless otherwise indicated, melting and boiling points are uncorrected.

EXAMPLE 1

With stirring and while introducing a weak flow of nitrogen, 7.1 g of the compound of the formula ##STR16## are heated in 20 ml of trimethylphosphate for 60 minutes to 160° C. After this time, a sample forms a clear solution in water. While cooling, the reaction mixture is diluted with 50 ml of ethyl acetate and the crystallised product is filtered with suction at room temperature. The residue, which deliquesces in air, is washed repeatedly with ethyl acetate and dried immediately in vacuo at 100° C., affording 10.8 g of compound of the formula ##STR17## (m.p. 115° C.) which additionally contains 1 mole of trimethylphosphate crystals and 1 mole of water of crystallization.

Recrystallization of this product from 1,2-dichloroethane, or addition of methyl ethyl ketone instead of ethyl acetate to the still hot reaction mixture obtained in the process, yields a product with a melting point of 181° C. which contains no more trimethylphosphate crystals. The solubility of this product at room temperature is more than 100 g in 100 ml of water, and that of the corresponding methosulfate is 0.5 g.

EXAMPLE 2

With stirring and while introducing a weak flow of nitrogen, 7.1 g of the compound of the formula ##STR18## are heated in 20 ml of trimethylphosphate for 60 minutes to 160° C. After this time, a sample forms a clear solution in water. The reaction mixture is cooled to room temperature to give the compound of the formula ##STR19## in excess trimethylphosphate, in the form of a viscous oil which can be diluted to any degree with water without precipitation. A 19% solution was unchanged in aspect after storage for several months. The pH also remainded unchanged on storage after neutralisation of a sample with sodium hydroxide. The solubility of the corresponding methosulfate in water is 0.5%.

The fluorescent whitening agents of the formula ##STR20## listed in Table I are obtained in a manner similar to that described in Example 1 or 2:

                                      TABLE I                                      __________________________________________________________________________                                   UV λ.sub.max in                                                         polyacrylonitrile                                formula                                                                             R.sub.6                                                                            R.sub.7 R.sub.8      (nm)                                             __________________________________________________________________________     203  CH.sub.3                                                                           CH.sub.3                                                                               SO.sub.2 NHCH.sub.3                                                                         365                                              204  CH.sub.3                                                                           CH.sub.3                                                                               SO.sub.2 N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                  365                                              205  CH.sub.3                                                                           CH.sub.3                                                                               SO.sub.2 NH.sub.2                                                                           363                                              206  CH.sub.3                                                                           CH.sub.3                                                                                ##STR21##   366                                              207  CH.sub.3                                                                           C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                        SO.sub.2 NHC.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                  362                                              208  CH.sub.3                                                                           CH.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.5                                                               SO.sub.2 NH.sub.2                                                                           367                                              209  CH.sub.3                                                                           CH.sub.2 CHCH.sub.2                                                                    SO.sub.2 NHCH.sub.2 CHCH.sub.2                                                              366                                              210  CH.sub.3                                                                           n-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                      SO.sub.2 NH.sub.2                                                                           362                                              211  CH.sub.3                                                                           CH.sub.3                                                                               SO.sub.2 NHCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OCH.sub.3                                                      365                                              212  CH.sub.3                                                                           CH.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.5                                                               SO.sub.2 NHCH.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.5                                                         367                                              213  CH.sub.3                                                                           C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                        SO.sub.2 NH.sub.2                                                                           362                                              214  nC.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                   CH.sub.3                                                                               SO.sub.2 NHCH.sub.3                                                                         367                                              215  CH.sub.3                                                                           CH.sub.3                                                                               COOH         364                                              216  CH.sub.3                                                                           CH.sub.3                                                                               COOC.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                          364                                              217  CH.sub.3                                                                           C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                        COOH         362                                              218  CH.sub.3                                                                           CH.sub.3                                                                               CONHCH.sub.3 360                                              219  CH.sub.3                                                                           CH.sub.3                                                                               COOCH.sub.3  364                                              220  CH.sub.3                                                                           CH.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.5                                                               CONH.sub.2   365                                              221  CH.sub.3                                                                           CH.sub.3                                                                               CN           370                                              222  CH.sub.3                                                                           CH.sub.3                                                                               SO.sub.2 OC.sub.6 H.sub.5                                                                   370                                              223  CH.sub.3                                                                           CH.sub.3                                                                               SO.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.5                                                                    369                                              224  CH.sub.3                                                                           CH.sub.3                                                                               CF.sub.3     360                                              225  CH.sub.3                                                                           CH.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.5                                                               CF.sub.3     364                                              226  CH.sub.3                                                                           CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CN                                                                   H            361                                              227  CH.sub.3                                                                           CH.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.5                                                               Cl           363                                              228  CH.sub.3                                                                           CH.sub.3                                                                               SO.sub.2 NHCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OH                                                             363                                              229  CH.sub.3                                                                           CH.sub.2 COOCH.sub.3                                                                   H            357                                                                               (in DMF)                                      230  CH.sub.3                                                                           CH.sub.2 CN                                                                            H            360                                              231  CH.sub.3                                                                           CH.sub. 2 C.sub.6 H.sub.5                                                              CH.sub.3     357                                              __________________________________________________________________________

EXAMPLE 3

With stirring and while introducing a weak flow of nitrogen, 7 g of the compound of the formula ##STR22## are heated in 30 ml of trimethylphosphate for 2 hours to 160° C. While cooling, the densely precipitated product is diluted with 30 ml of methyl ethyl ketone and filtered with suction at room temperature. The residue is washed repeatedly with methyl ethyl ketone and dried in vacuo at 100° C., affording 7 g of a pale yellow crystalline product of the formula ##STR23## with a melting point of 246° C. The solubility of this product in water at 80° C. is 10%, and that of the corresponding methosulfate is 0.3%.

The compounds of the formula ##STR24##

    ______________________________________                                                                   Solubility in                                        No.    R.sub.8    m.p.    H.sub.2 O at room temperature                        ______________________________________                                         (302)  --SO.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                                                       270° C.                                                                         17%                                                  (303)  --CN       220° C.                                                                           3.4%                                               ______________________________________                                          are obtained in analogous manner.

The solubility of each of the corresponding methosulfates in water at room temperature is about 0.1%.

The fluorescent whitening agents of the formula ##STR25## listed in Table II can also be obtained in the above described manner.

                                      TABLE II                                     __________________________________________________________________________                                      UVλ.sub.max in                                                          polyacrylonitrile                             formula                                                                             R.sub.7 R.sub.10                                                                          R.sub.9                                                                              R.sub.8    (nm)                                          __________________________________________________________________________     304  C.sub.6 H.sub.5                                                                        Cl Cl    H          357                                           305  CH.sub.3                                                                               H  CH.sub.3                                                                             SO.sub.2 OC.sub.6 H.sub.5                                                                 357                                           306  CH.sub.3                                                                               H  COOC.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                   SO.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                                                         363                                           307  CH.sub.3                                                                               CH.sub.3                                                                          Cl    SO.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                                                         360                                           308  CH.sub.3                                                                               H  Cl    SO.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.5                                                                  366                                           309  CH.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.5                                                               H  Cl    SO.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                                                         364                                           310  CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CN*                                                                  H  Cl    SO.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                                                         367                                           311  CH.sub.3                                                                               H  Cl    SO.sub.2 C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                  364                                           312  C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                        H  Cl    SO.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                                                         361                                           313  CH.sub.3                                                                               H  H     SO.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                                                         362                                           314  CH.sub.2 CN*                                                                           H  Cl    SO.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                                                         372                                           315  CH.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.5                                                               H  Cl    SO.sub.2 N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                364                                           316  C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                        H  Cl    SO.sub.2 NH.sub.2                                                                         361                                           317  CH.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.5                                                               H  Cl    SO.sub.2 NHCH.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.5                                                       365                                           318  CH.sub.2 CH═CH.sub.2                                                               H  Cl    SO.sub.2 NHCH.sub.2 CH═CH.sub.2                                                       362                                           319  CH.sub.3                                                                               H  Cl    CONHCH.sub.3                                                                              362                                           320  CH.sub.3                                                                               H  Cl    COOCH.sub.3                                                                               363                                           321  CH.sub.3                                                                               H  Cl    COOH       363                                           322  CH.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.5                                                               H  Cl    CONH.sub.2 363                                           __________________________________________________________________________      *mixture of isomers (R.sub.7 and CH.sub.3 exchanged).                    

EXAMPLE 4

With stirring, 6.7 g of the compound of the formula ##STR26## are heated in 8.4 g of trimethylphosphate for 15 minutes to 110°-120° C. After this time, a sample forms a clear solution in water. The reaction mixture is diluted with 50 ml of methyl ethyl ketone, cooled, and the crystallised product is collected by filtration. The residue is washed repeatedly with methyl ethyl ketone and dried in vacuo at 100° C., affording 8.8 g of compound of the formula ##STR27## (m.p. 143° C.) which contains about 2 moles of water of crystallisation. The solubility of this product in water at room temperature is over 50%, and that of the corresponding methosulfate is 0.08%.

The compounds of the formulae (402) and (403) ##STR28## are obtained in analogous manner.

The solubility of the compound of the formula (402) at room temperature is over 100 g in 100 ml of water, and that of the corresponding methosulfate or chloride is about 1 g. The solubility of the compound of the formula (403) in water at room temperature is about 42%, and that of the corresponding methosulfate is 0.05%.

The fluorescent whitening agents of the formula ##STR29## listed in Table III

                  TABLE III                                                        ______________________________________                                                                             Solubility                                                                     in H.sub.2 O                                                                   at room                                    for-                                temper-                                    mula E                      m.p.    ature                                      ______________________________________                                         (405)                                                                               SO.sub.2 NH(CH.sub.2).sub.3N(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                          181° C.                                                                         46%                                        (406)                                                                                ##STR30##             177° C.                                                                         above 67%                                  (407)                                                                               SO.sub.2 (CH.sub.2).sub.2 CONH(CH.sub.2).sub.3N(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                       183° C.                                                                         above                                                                          50%                                        ______________________________________                                    

and those of the formula ##STR31## listed in Table IIIa, are also obtained in analogous manner.

                  TABLE IIIa                                                       ______________________________________                                         For-                                                                           mula D           E                                                             ______________________________________                                         409  4-chlorophenyl-                                                                            SO.sub.2 (CH.sub.2).sub.3N(CH.sub.3).sub.3                    410  4-chlorophenyl-                                                                             ##STR32##                                                    411  4,5-dichloro-                                                                              SO.sub.2 NH(CH.sub.2).sub.3N(CH.sub.3).sub.3                       2-methylphenyl                                                            412  4,5-di-     SO.sub.2 (CH.sub.2).sub.3N(CH.sub.3).sub.3                         chlorophenyl-                                                             413  4,5-dichloro-                                                                              SO.sub.2 (CH.sub.2).sub.2N(CH.sub.3).sub.3                         2-methylphenyl                                                            414  4-chlorophenyl                                                                             SO.sub.2 (CH.sub.2).sub.2 O(CH.sub.2).sub.2N(CH.sub.3).su                      b.3                                                           415  4-chlorophenyl                                                                              ##STR33##                                                    416  4-chlorophenyl                                                                             SO.sub.2 (CH.sub.2).sub.2 O(CH.sub.2).sub.2N(CH.sub.3)(C.                      sub.2 H.sub.5).sub.2                                          417  4-chlorophenyl                                                                             SO.sub.2 (CH.sub.2).sub.2 O(CH.sub.2).sub.2N(CH.sub.3)(C.                      sub.4 H.sub.9).sub.2                                          418  4,5-dichloro- 2-methylphenyl                                                                ##STR34##                                                    419  4,5-dichloro-                                                                              SO.sub.2 (CH.sub.2).sub.2 O(CH.sub.2).sub.2N(CH.sub.3).su                      b.3                                                                2-methylphenyl                                                            420  4,5-dichloro-                                                                              SO.sub.2 NH(CH.sub.2).sub.2N(CH.sub.3)(C.sub.2 H.sub.5).s                      ub.2                                                               2-methylphenyl                                                            421  4,5-dichloro-                                                                              COO(CH.sub.2).sub.2N(CH.sub.3).sub.3                               2-methylphenyl                                                            422  4-chlorophenyl                                                                             COO(CH.sub.2).sub.2N(CH.sub.3).sub.3                          423  4-chlorophenyl                                                                              ##STR35##                                                    424  4-chlorophenyl                                                                             SO.sub.2 (CH.sub.2).sub.2 CONH(CH.sub.2).sub.2N(CH.sub.3)                      .sub.3                                                        425  4-chlorophenyl                                                                              ##STR36##                                                    426  4-chlorophenyl                                                                             SO.sub.2 (CH.sub.2).sub.2 COO(CH.sub.2).sub.2N(CH.sub.3).                      sub.3                                                         427  4-chlorophenyl                                                                              ##STR37##                                                    428  4-chlorophenyl                                                                             SO.sub.2 (CH.sub.2).sub.2 COO(CH.sub.2).sub.3N(CH.sub.3).                      sub.3                                                         429  4-chlorophenyl                                                                              ##STR38##                                                    430  4-chlorophenyl                                                                              ##STR39##                                                    431  4-chlorophenyl                                                                              ##STR40##                                                    432  4-chlorophenyl                                                                              ##STR41##                                                    433  4-chlorophenyl                                                                              ##STR42##                                                    434  4-chlorophenyl                                                                              ##STR43##                                                    435  4,5-dichloro- 2-methylphenyl                                                                ##STR44##                                                    ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 5

With stirring, 5.6 g of the compound of the formula ##STR45## are heated in 30 ml of trimethylphosphate for 60 minutes to 100° C., whereupon the reaction product crystallises out. After this time, a sample forms a clear solution in water. The reaction mixture is diluted with 30 ml of methyl ethyl ketone, cooled, and the residue is filtered with suction and washed repeatedly with methyl ethyl ketone, then dried in vacuo at 100° C., affording 7.2 g of compound of the formula ##STR46## in almost colorless crystals with a melting point of 270° C. (with decompos.).

This product dissolves in water at room temperature to give a clear solution in a concentration of about 40%, compared with 11% for the corresponding methosulfate.

The compound of the formula ##STR47## (m.p. 190° C.), which contains about 31/2 moles of water of crystallization, is obtained in analogous manner. The solubility of this product in water is at least 50%, and that of the corresponding methosulfate is 16%.

Heating the compound of the formula (500) with triethylphosphate at 150° C. instead of with trimethylphosphate and repeating the same procedure yields 6.5 g of the compound of the formula ##STR48## which can be recrystallized from 1,2-dichloroethane and contains 11/2 moles of water of crystallization (m.p. about 153° C.). The solubility of this product in water is about 40%.

The fluorescent whitening agents of the formula ##STR49## listed in Table IV are obtained in a manner similar to that described in the foregoing Examples.

                  TABLE IV                                                         ______________________________________                                                                             λ.sub.max in                                                            dimethyl                                                                       form-                                      For-                                amide                                      mula G                     L        (nm)                                       ______________________________________                                         505  2-O(CH.sub.2).sub.2N(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                 H        362                                        506  2-SO.sub.2 NH(CH.sub.2).sub.3N(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                       H        355                                        507  2-SO.sub.2 NH(CH.sub.2).sub.2N(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                       H        357                                        508  2-SO.sub.2 NH(CH.sub.2).sub.3NCH.sub.3 (C.sub.2 H.sub.5).sub.2                                       H        351                                        509                                                                                  ##STR50##            H        357                                        510  3-SO.sub.2 NH(CH.sub.2).sub.3N(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                       4-Cl     362                                        511  2-CONH(CH.sub.2).sub.3N(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                              H        351                                        512                                                                                  ##STR51##            H        361                                        513                                                                                  ##STR52##            H        360                                        514                                                                                  ##STR53##            H        361                                         515 516                                                                             ##STR54##             H H      361                                       517                                                                                  ##STR55##            H        356                                        518                                                                                  ##STR56##            H        362                                        519  2-S(CH.sub.2).sub.2N(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                 H        358                                        520  2-O(CH.sub.2).sub.3N(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                 3-OCH.sub.3                                                                             356                                        521  2-O(CH.sub.2).sub.3N(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                 5-Cl     367                                        522  2-O(CH.sub.2).sub.3N(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                 5-CH.sub.3                                                                              366                                        523  2-CH.sub.2 N(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                         H        352                                        524                                                                                  ##STR57##            H        362                                        525  2-COO(CH.sub. 2).sub.2 N(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                             H        356                                        ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 6

With stirring, 5.1 g of the compound of the formula ##STR58## are heated in 10 ml of trimethylphosphate for 60 minutes to 100° C. After this time, a sample of the reaction mixture forms a clear solution in water. The reaction mixture is diluted with 30 ml of methyl ethyl ketone, cooled, and the crystallized product is filtered with suction and washed repeatedly with methyl ethyl ketone. The residue is dried in vacuo at 100° C., affording 5.1 g of compound of the formula ##STR59## in the form of pale yellow crystals with a melting point of 187° C. The solubility of this product in water at room temperature is over 50%.

The compound of the formula ##STR60## (m.p. 250° C.) is obtained in analogous manner. The solubility of this product in water at room temperature is over 50%, compared with 16% for the corresponding methosulfate.

The fluorescent whitening agents of the formula ##STR61## listed in Table V are obtained in a manner similar to that described in the foregoing Examples.

                  TABLE V                                                          ______________________________________                                                                            λ.sub.max in                                                            dimethyl                                                                       formamide                                   Formula                                                                               G                  L        (nm)                                        ______________________________________                                         603    2-O(CH.sub.2).sub.3N(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                              H        367                                         604    2-O(CH.sub.2).sub.2N(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                              H        367                                         605                                                                                    ##STR62##         H        367                                         606                                                                                    ##STR63##         H        364                                         607                                                                                    ##STR64##         H        367                                         608                                                                                    ##STR65##         H        358                                         609                                                                                    ##STR66##         H        367                                         610    2-O(CH.sub.2).sub.3 N(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                             3-OCH.sub.3                                                                             360                                         611    2-O(CH.sub.2).sub.3N(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                              5-CH.sub.3                                                                              372                                         612    3-SO.sub.2 NH(CH.sub.2).sub.3N(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                    4-Cl     366                                         613    2-SO.sub.2 NH(CH.sub.2).sub.3N(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                    H        353                                         614    3-CONH(CH.sub.2).sub.3N(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                           6-CH.sub.3                                                                              367                                         615    2-CH.sub.2 N(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                      H        352                                         ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 7

With stirring, 6.25 g of the compound of the formula ##STR67## are heated in 5.6 g of trimethylphosphate for 5 minutes to 80° C. After this time, a sample forms a clear solution in water and a dense precipitate of the reaction product forms. The reaction mixture is diluted with 50 ml of methyl ethyl ketone, cooled, and filtered. The residue, which deliquesces in air, is washed repeatedly with methyl ethyl ketone and dried immediately in vacuo at 100° C., affording 8.8 g of compound of the formula ##STR68## with a melting point of 188° C. The solubility of this product in water at room temperature is over 60%, compared with 44% for the corresponding salt of phosphoric acid.

The compound of the formula ##STR69## which is used, without isolation, after dilution with water, is obtained in a manner similar to that described in the foregoing Examples. (UV λ_(max) 365 nm in DMF).

EXAMPLE 8

Polyacrylonitrile fabric (Orlon 75) is treated in a dyeing machine, at a liquor ratio of 1:20, with an aqueous bath which contains 0.1% of the fluorescent whitening agent of the formula (101), (201), (203), (301), (302), (303), (401), (402), (403), (501), (502), (503), (506), (601) or (612), based on the weight of the goods, 1 g/l of an adduct of 35 moles of ethylene oxide and 1 mole of stearyl alcohol, and 1.5 ml/l of 85% formic acid. The application is effected in accordance with the following temperature programme:

40°-97° C./30 minutes

97° C./30 minutes

97°-40° C./15 minutes.

The polyacrylonitrile fabric is then rinsed for 30 seconds in running softened water and dried at 70° C. in a drying oven. A good white effect is obtained on the treated fabric.

EXAMPLE 9

Modified polyacrylonitrile fabric (Courtelle) is treated in a dyeing machine, at a liquor ratio of 1:20, with an aqueous bath which contains 0.1% of the fluorescent whitening agent of the formula (101), (201), (203), (301) to (303), (401), (402), (403), (405) to (407), (501), (502), (503), (506), (601) or (612), based on the weight of the goods, 1 g/l of oxalic acid, 0.25 g/l of a polyphosphate as chelating agent, and 0.125 g/l of sodium metabisulfite. The application is effected in accordance with the following temperature programme:

40°-97° C./30 minutes

97° C./30 minutes

97°-40° C./15 minutes

The polyacrylonitrile fabric is then rinsed for 30 seconds in running softened water and dried at 70° C. in a drying oven. A good white effect is obtained on the treated fabric.

EXAMPLE 10

Freshly spun, stretched polyacrylonitrile wet tow (corresponding to 3 g dry weight) is immersed, while still moist, at 45° C. for 4 seconds in 100 ml of an aqueous liquor which contains 0.0005% of a fluorescent whitening agent of the formula (101), (301), (401), (402), (403), (501), (506) or (601), and which has been adjusted with concentrated oxalic acid solution to pH 4. The wet tow is then rinsed briefly with water and dried at 90°-100° C. A good white effect is obtained on the polyacrylonitrile fibre. The whitening can also be carried out e.g. at pH 6 (adjustment by addition of sodium acetate). Raising the temperature of the liquor e.g. to 40° C. increases the rate of exhaustion. Stronger white effects are obtained by increasing the concentration of fluorescent whitening agent to e.g. 0.005%.

EXAMPLE 11

A bleached cotton fabric is treated in a dyeing machine, at a liquor ratio of 1:20, with an aqueous bath which contains 0.1% of the fluorescent whitening agent of the formula (501), (502), (503), (506), (601) or (612), based on the weight of the cotton, and 5 g/l of sodium sulfate. The application is effected in accordance with the following temperature programme:

20°-50° C./15 minutes

50° C./15 minutes.

The cotton fabric is then rinsed for 20 seconds in running softened water and dried at 70° C. in a drying oven. A good white effect is obtained on the treated cotton.

EXAMPLE 12

Bleached cotton fabric is padded at room temperature with an aqueous liquor which contains 1 g/l of the fluorescent whitening agent of the formula (501), (502), (503), (506) or (601). The pick-up is 75%. The cotton is then dried for 30 seconds at 130° C. in a thermofixing machine. A good white effect is obtained on the treated cotton fabric.

EXAMPLE 13

A concentrated liquid detergent is prepared by mixing the following components:

    ______________________________________                                                             % by weight                                                ______________________________________                                         ethoxylated alcohols (C.sub.12 -C.sub.13 alcohol                                                     60.0                                                     with 6.5 moles of ethylene oxide)                                              1-methyl-1-oleylamidoethyl-2-oleyl-                                                                  26.7                                                     imidazolinium methosulfate                                                     compound of the formula (501), (502),                                                                0.3                                                      (601) or (612)                                                                 water                 12.0                                                     customary additives   1.0                                                      ______________________________________                                    

2 kg of bleached cotton fabric are washed for 10 minutes at 50° C. in 60 litres of water of 100 ppm hardness which contains 50 to 60 g of the above detergent. After rinsing and drying, the fabric has a strong white effect and a soft handle.

Similar results are obtained by using non-crosslinked di-tallow di-methylammonium chloride instead of the above imidazolinium compound.

EXAMPLE 14

Bleached cotton fabric is washed at a liquor ratio of 1:20 for 15 minutes in a warm aqueous liquor of 40° C. which contains, per litre, 0.5 g of an adduct of 10 moles of ethylene oxide and 1 mole of stearyl alcohol, and 0.01 g of the fluorescent whitening agent of the formula (501), (502), (503), (505) or (601). The cotton is then rinsed for 20 seconds in running drinking water and dried at 70° C. in a drying oven. A good white effect is obtained on the treated cotton fabric.

EXAMPLE 15

Polyamide 66 woven jersey is treated in a dyeing machine, at a liquor ratio of 1:20, with an aqueous bath which contains 0.1% of the fluorescent whitening agent of the formula (401) to (403) or (405) to (407), based on the weight of the fabric, and 3 g/l of sodium dithionite, stabilised with 40% sodium pyrophosphate. The application is effected in accordance with the following temperature programme:

40°-97° C./30 minutes

97° C./30 minutes

97°-40° C./15 minutes.

The polyamide fabric is then rinsed for 30 seconds in flowing softened water and dried at 70° C. in a drying oven. A good white effect is obtained on the treated fabric. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A process of whitening organic material, comprising the step of incorporating in said material or applying to said material a cationic fluorescent whitening agent of the formula ##STR70## wherein B is a fluorescent whitening agent selected from the group consisting of 2-furanylbenzimidazoles, 2-azolylbenzimidazoles, 2-stilbenylbenzimidazoles and 2,5-(benzimidazolyl)furanes,m is the number of basic amino groups, and each of R₁, R₂ and R₃ is alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms which is unsubstituted or substituted by a non-chromophoric group, or is alkenyl of 2 to 4 carbon atoms which is unsubstituted or substituted by a non-chromophoric group.
 2. The process of claim 1 whereinm is 1 or 2, R₂ and R₃ are identical, each of R₁ R₂ and R₃ is alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkenyl of 2 to 4 carbon atoms, or benzyl, and B is a fluorescent whitening agent of the formula ##STR71## wherein each of R₆ and R₇ independently is alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms which is unsubstituted or substituted by a non-chromophoric group, alkenyl of 2 to 6 carbon atoms which is unsubstituted or substituted by a non-chromophoric group, or is phenyl, and wherein the benzene rings and the heterocyclic rings can also carry non-chromophoric substituents.
 3. The process of claim 2 whereinR₁, R₂ and R₃ are identical and are alkyl of 1 to 3 carbon atoms and B is a fluorescent whitening agent radical of the formula ##STR72## wherein R₆ is alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, R₇ is alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, benzyl, phenyl, alkenyl of 3 to 4 carbon atoms, cyanolalkyl of 2 or 3 carbon atoms, or alkoxycarbonylmethyl containing 1 to 3 carbon atoms in the alkoxy moiety, R₈ is hydrogen, methyl, chlorine, alkylsulfonyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, phenylsulfonyl, cyano, trifluoromethyl, phenoxysulfonyl, alkoxycarbonyl containing a total of 2 to 5 carbon atoms, carboxyl, -CONZ₁ Z₂ or -SO₂ NZ₁ Z₂, wherein Z₁ is hydrogen, alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkenyl of 3 or 4 carbon atoms, hydroxyalkyl of 2 to 4 carbon atoms, alkoxyalkyl containing a total of 3 to 6 carbon atoms, or benzyl, and Z₂ is hydrogen, alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or Z₁ and Z₂, together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, can also form a morpholine ring, and R₉ and R₁₀, each independently of the other, are hydrogen, chlorine or methyl.
 4. The process of claim 3 wherein the cationic fluorescent whitening agent is of the formula ##STR73## wherein A is a radical of the formula ##STR74## wherein R₆ is alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms and each of R₉ and R₁₀ independently is hydrogen, chlorine or methyl, R₇ is alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, benzyl, phenyl, alkenyl of 3 or 4 carbon atoms, cyanoalkyl of 2 or 3 carbon atoms, alkoxycarbonylmethyl containing 1 to 3 carbon atoms in the alkoxy moiety, and R₈ is hydrogen, methyl, chlorine, alkylsulfonyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, phenylsulfonyl, cyano, trifluoromethyl, phenoxysulfonyl, alkoxycarbonyl containing a total of 2 to 5 carbon atoms, carboxyl, CONZ₁ Z₂ or SO₂ NZ₁ Z₂, wherein Z₁ is hydrogen, alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkenyl of 3 or 4 carbon atoms, hydroxyalkyl of 2 to 4 carbon atoms, alkoxyalkyl containing a total of 3 to 6 carbon atoms, or benzyl, and Z₂ is hydrogen, alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or Z₁ and Z₂, together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, can also form a morpholine ring.
 5. The process of claim 4 whereinR₆ is methyl, R₇ is alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, benzyl, phenyl or cyanolalkyl of 2 or 3 carbon atoms, R₈ is hydrogen, alkylsulfonyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, phenylsulfonyl, phenoxysulfonyl, sulfamoyl, alkylsulfamoyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkoxycarbonyl of 2 to 4 carbon atoms, cyano or chlorine, R₉ is chlorine and R₁₀ is hydrogen, chlorine or methyl.
 6. The process of claim 1, wherein the organic material is polyacrylonitrile, polyamide or cellulose.
 7. The process of claim 1, wherein the organic material is polyacrylonitrile in the gel state. 